July 1, 1997:

Hong Kong became a special administrative region (SAR) of the Peoples Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy.

August 28, 1998:

With the support of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong stock market earned a complete triumph since the Asian financial crisis crept into Southeast Asia on only the second day of Hong Kong's return to China in 1997.

May 17, 2001:

Hong Kong Central Library, the largest library in the region, opened.

January 1, 2004:

The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) came into effect. It is a free trade agreement concluded by the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, covering three areas: trade in goods, trade in services, trade and investment facilitation. CEPA has strengthened the trade relationship in goods and services, and fostered trade and investment facilitation between the two places.

September 12, 2005:

Hong Kong Disneyland had its official grand opening to the public. It has attracted a number of visitors, offering new opportunities to Hong Kong’s tourist and economic development.

AuNovember 9, 2006:

Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun was appointed to the post as WHO Director General, delegating the People's Republic of China for 2006 to 2017.

August 9–20, 2008:

Equestrian competitions at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics were successfully held at the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Sheung Yue River in Hong Kong.

November 17, 2014:

Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, a cross-boundary investment channel connecting the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, was launched. Under the program, investors in each market are able to trade shares on the other market using their local brokers and clearing houses.

August 16, 2016:

An agreement between the Shenzhen and Hong Kong financial sectors has received government approval, paving the way for a better-regulated stock market.